Pakistan and Sri Lanka initiate Exercise Shake Hands-II at Tarbela.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have initiated a collaborative military exercise focused on augmenting counter-terrorism capabilities and reinforcing bilateral defence relations, as reported by the military’s media division.

The fortnight-long practice, designated “Shake Hands-II,” commenced on Monday in Tarbela, uniting elite forces from both countries. The exercise included the involvement of the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group and Special Forces soldiers from the Sri Lankan Army, signifying a further stage in the continuous military collaboration between the two nations.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) characterises the program as a bilateral counter-terrorism exercise aimed at enhancing professional competencies through organised collaborative training modules. The ISPR announced that the initiative aims to enhance operational preparedness in intricate security contexts, focusing specifically on contemporary counter-terrorism strategies and synchronised responses.

The participating contingents are anticipated to partake in various activities that facilitate the exchange of operational expertise and field experience. Military officials emphasised that these interactions facilitate mutual learning in areas like as tactical planning, intelligence-driven operations, and special forces drills.

In addition to the technical elements, the exercise highlights the enduring defence connections between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The two nations have sustained continuous military-to-military engagement over the years, with joint exercises acting as a crucial platform for enhancing collaboration.

The ISPR states that the current drill aims to improve interoperability across the military, enabling more effective operations in combined circumstances. Enhanced collaboration and reciprocal understanding are anticipated results, especially regarding the changing regional security issues.